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Concentrating while studying can be hard, especially when the study material isn't one of your favorite topics. While studying has never been the most exciting aspects of school, it doesn't have to be the drag that it is made out to be. With a sense of determination, and by implementing some effective study techniques, even the dullest subjects can be conquered with increased concentration during a study session.

Steps

Part 1

Preparing to Concentrate While Studying

1

Find an appropriate study environment. Generally, it is a good idea to eliminate distractions as much as possible while studying, so you can concentrate on what's in front of you. You want to find a place that is aesthetically pleasing and comfortable for you.

Find a quiet area, such as a private room or a library. If you like fresh air, go outside to an area that is reasonably free of distractions, and somewhere you can still connect to Internet, if necessary.

Keep in mind that everyone has their own studying environment preferences. While some prefer to study in quiet, others thrive in a bustling environment that mimics white noise.

Always believe in yourself.

If you don't know your studying preferences, experiment in different areas, studying in a group or studying solo, studying with or without music, etc. Your ability to concentrate and be productive in different environments will reveal itself rather quickly.

2

Gather all of your studying materials. Your studying materials include things like notes, textbooks, study guides, papers, highlighters, or anything else you might need to concentrate and be productive while studying; this includes a snack like a granola bar or nuts, and a bottle of water.[1]

All your materials should be within arm's reach so you don't disrupt yourself by going to retrieve your things when you're in the zone, studying.

3

Clear the study space. Clear away materials you don't need to study, and keep your space organized to reduce stress and allow for better concentration. Having any materials around you that don't directly contribute to your concentration only serve as potential distractions.

This includes throwing away food containers, paper garbage, and other miscellaneous items.

4

Unplug from unnecessary electronics. Turn off any electronics that you don't need, especially cell phones, music listening devices, and perhaps computers (provided you don't need a computer to study your material).

Your laptop or computer could serve as a huge source of distraction when you're trying to concentrate.

5

Stick to a routine. Arrange a schedule for study time, and keep with it. This allows you to build studying time into a habit, making you more likely to follow through on study plans. Be aware of your energy levels throughout the day. Are you more energetic (and therefore more able to concentrate) during the day or nighttime?[2] It may help to study your harder subjects when you have the most energy.

Once you know the time of day that you're more energetic, you can make sure you study during those times, increasing your ability to focus and concentrate on your work.

6

Find a study partner. Sometimes reviewing material with someone else can help break up the monotony of studying, clarify confusing concepts by bouncing ideas off of someone else, and see things from a different perspective. This partner can help you keep on track with your studies, and concentrate on the task in front of you.

Some people may find study partners distracting. When looking for a study partner, try to find someone who is sensible and focused, maybe even more of an active student in class than you are. That way, you are always pushing yourself to stay matched with them.

7

Think of an incentive. Before you start studying, think of something that can serve as a reward for you successfully studying. For example, after reviewing your history notes for 1 hour, talk to your roommate about your day, make dinner, or watch your favorite upcoming television program.[3] An incentive can motivate you to concentrate on studying for a specific amount of time, and then you reward yourself for your solid block of time concentrating on your work.

Part 2

Maintaining Concentration While Studying

1

Find an effective study method. Finding an effective study method that suits you can help you stay concentrated while studying. Again, every person studies differently, so you will have to experiment and find a method that works best for you to maintain focus. Essentially, the more ways you can experience and interact with what you're learning, the better your chances will be of staying on task and absorbing what you're reviewing. Sometimes, simply reviewing readings, notes, or quizzes can serve as an effective way to study, but some other study methods include:

Making notecards. For vocabulary or academic terms, making notecards and flashcards and repeatedly reviewing them can help with memorizing words, terms, and concepts.

Drawing. Some studying requires reviewing structures and diagrams. Copying those diagrams and structures, and drawing them yourself allows you to create and visualize what it is you're trying to study, therefore making it more memorable.

Creating an outline. Creating an outline may help with mapping out bigger concepts including the smaller details. It can also help create visual sections and groupings of information that may help recalling details when exam time approaches.

Using elaborative interrogation. Elaborative interrogation is basically producing an explanation for why something you're learning is true. It's like you coming up with a defensive reason for why a fact or statement is important.[5] You could also use this method to talk about concepts out loud and make yourself more familiar with the material by justifying and explaining it's significance.

2

Be an active learner. When reading or listening to a lecture, try to engage with the material. This means instead of just being present with the material, challenge it and yourself. Ask questions about what is being lectured, connect the material to your real life, compare it with other information you have learned throughout your life and discuss and explain this new material to other people.

Actively participating with your studies makes the material more meaningful and able to hold your interest, which, in turn, makes concentrating on it easier.

3

Practice some mental concentration strategies. Working on improving your concentration takes time and patience. After practicing some of these strategies, you'll probably begin to see improvement within days.[6] Some concentration strategies include:

Be here now. This simple and effective strategy helps bring back your wandering mind to the task at hand: When you become aware of the fact that your thoughts are no longer on your studies, say to yourself, “Be here now,” and try to reign in your wandering thoughts, and focus back on your study material.

For example, you're in class and your attention strays from the lecture to the fact that you're craving coffee and the last bagel at the café is probably gone by now. As you say to yourself, “Be here now,” you fix your attention back to the lecture, and keep it there for as long as you can.[7]

Keep track of your mental wanderings. Mark down every time you catch your mind drifting away from what you should be concentrating on. As you get better and better with bringing yourself back to the present task, the number of times you break concentration should be less and less.[8]

4

Allow for some time to worry. Research has shown that when people put aside a designated time to worry and think about things that stress them out, people worry 35% less within four weeks.[9] That proves that when you let yourself worry and think about things during a certain amount of time, you spend less time worrying and getting distracted when you should be concentrating on other things.

If you ever find yourself worrying about something while you're trying to focus and concentrate, remember that you have a special time to worry about things. You can even try the “be here now” method to bring yourself back to concentrating.

For example, give yourself a half hour before you start studying to worry about upcoming exams, your family, or whatever else is on your mind. Worry during this elected time so when you have to study, you can put all your attention and focus on doing that.[10]

5

Set study goals. While the subjects you need to study might not be the most interesting topics, you can shift your perspective while studying to make concentrating easier. By setting goals for yourself, you change your studying experience from having to “get through,” the subject, to reaching check points and continually succeeding in progressing with your study session.[11]

For example, instead of having the mentality of, “I have to study all of chapter 6 tonight,” set a goal for yourself with something like, “I will study sections 1-3 by 4:30, and then take a walking break.” That way, conquering a study session transforms from a large, daunting task, to a smaller, more achievable portions. This sectional break up of study time increasing your willingness to concentrate and reach your studying goal.

6

Study with short breaks. Normally, studying for about an hour at a time and then taking a 5-10 minute break is the most effectual study schedule to maintain concentration on a given task. Taking a short break gives your mind time to relax, so it can be ready to stay productive and absorb information.

Move around. Get up and stretch after sitting for about an hour. You could do some yoga, push ups, or any other kind of physical activity to get your blood pumping. These short breaks in studying will make the time you spend studying more productive and attentive.

Community Q&A

When I am studying, my mind is concentrating on the topic up to 5 minutes after. It is revolving around instead of allowing me to get on and study. What should I do now?

Community Answer

Repeat the activity 10 times in your mind, after which tell yourself that you've grasped it and now it's time to apply it. For example, if you decided to study two chapters today, repeat ten times that "I will complete two chapters today. I will not get up until the two chapters are done." This way, you overcome the constant thinking about the topic by actually addressing it ten times in a row––you should be ready for relief by doing the study!

When you feel like you're going to fall asleep, or even just every 45 minutes or so, get up and do something physical like push-ups, yoga, or just walking around the room a couple of times to get your blood flowing, you should be awake in no time.

While studying my mind suddenly divert to another matter what I should do?

Community Answer

Keep a notepad beside you. When a thought pops up, jot it down, and allow yourself to forget about it for the time being and return your focus to your studies. You'll find that as you do this more, your mind will become less distracted by these thoughts.

My mind wanders even after just 5 minutes of studying, and I tend to switch on my cell phone. What can I do?

Community Answer

Hand your cell phone to a parent or another trusted individual while you're studying. Sometimes simply removing the temptation/distraction can help you maintain focus. Tell yourself you're going to study for 15 minutes, then give yourself a 5 minute break. Maybe if you break it up in to smaller chunks of time, it won't be so overwhelming.

Set goals for yourself and stick them to the wall in front of where you study or somewhere else you will see them frequently. Go through them every time you take a break and reward yourself with a favorite chocolate/game/movie when you complete the list. Another helpful idea is to time your breaks so you do not get distracted for too long.

Just concentrate. Set a time limit while studying and gradually decrease the time you allow yourself to learn. Eventually you will decrease the time but also be aware that there will also be a natural optimal time for you personally, after which you won't learn a thing, so don't push it too far.

If you can't study for a long time ,just try to switch between the subjects to make it work for you, not against you. For example, study maths for half an hour, take a 5 minute break, then change to English for a half an hour, and so on. The break time and the breakdown times are up to you, just as long as you keep switching back and forth until the work is done.

Your favorite topic means you love it. Think about what makes you love this topic and then always picture this love "reason" in your mind each time you study. Always keep your mind on that topic, not on something else.

Set a routine that is achievable. Reward yourself after a day/week/month of successfully achieving the goal. Challenge yourself with stricter routines only after forming a habit of following that routine.

Take a break of up to twenty minutes every two hours of studying so that you can have some time to relax so that you'll be more concentrated. Get something to eat, drink some water, or step outside for a minute.

Involving as many senses as possible allows for more ways to remember information.

Keep in mind that your brain takes time to transition between subjects. For example, if you study sciences for 1 hour then immediately skip to English, the first 10 minutes will be your mind adjusting to the new subject. Do some easier practice work while transitioning, perhaps.

Never neglect the subject in which you are improving in.

Please avoid friends who are disturbing in your study.

Develop a certain interest in the subject, it'll help you focus when you study.

Get proper sleep before exams day as proper sleep is essential.

Study in group. It helps in understanding the concepts better.

Don't study on your bed because it can make you feel sleepy.

Always keep something good and healthy to eat or drink while you're studying. This keeps up your energy levels and you don't feel much tired. Ideally, take a snack break every 1 hour.

Set up a timetable for proper study and follow it regularly.

Warnings

Don't cram for an exam the night before. Cramming is a less effective way of retaining information, and it can create stress, making it more difficult to study.

To increase your concentration while you’re studying, find a quiet area where you won’t be distracted, such as a private room or a library. Organize all of the materials you’ll need while you’re studying so you don’t spend a lot of time sifting through papers. If you notice your mind wandering, help yourself stay present by reminding yourself to “be here now.” If you still need help, set goals that can help keep you on track during your study session. To learn more about how to reward yourself and develop a routine, keep reading the article!

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Article Info

This article was co-authored by our trained team of editors and researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness. Together, they cited information from 11 references. wikiHow's Content Management Team carefully monitors the work from our editorial staff to ensure that each article meets our high standards.

Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 2,284,924 times.

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Co-Authored By:

wikiHow Staff Editor

Co-authors: 118

Updated: September 6, 2019

Views: 2,284,924

97% of readers found this article helpful.

21 votes - 97%

Click a star to add your vote

97% of people told us that this article helped them.

AS

Anusha Singh

Aug 17, 2017

"Articles like this are helpful to those who are really dying to concentrate over their 'book mountains'. I found this one really useful for me, as I love my subjects, I take them and my future both seriously. However, I was just struggling hard to concentrate! These points are really effective if followed."..." more

Rated this article:

AF

Aquiline Rose Fernandez

Sep 8, 2017

"This article was really helpful. I collect sample test paper questions from the internet for a particular chapter and after revising that chapter, I use them to check how effectively I have revised. I would suggest you to include this tip in your article."..." more

SD

Simran David

Sep 5, 2016

"Listening to white noise during distractions or put on light music to help you to concentrate helped. Set a routine that is achievable. Reward yourself after a day/week/month of successfully achieving the goal. Challenge yourself with stricter routines."..." more

ST

Sanjana Tasnum

Oct 20, 2018

"Some of the points here, like rewarding yourself, making plans beforehand, being present, and keeping electronics away, really help me a lot. I would suggest that rather than trying to follow everything, find the one which tunes in with you!"..." more

MS

Mimi Sun

Dec 24, 2017

"This article is really helpful. As a student, I have taken so much information. We should focus in our studies while imagining that someday we are going to be something special, that makes us more productive. Thanks."..." more

SA

Shariful Alam

Aug 28, 2016

"I was very worried about my concentration. I want to read but I cannot, so it makes me sad. This article is really helpful, and I asked a question about my problem. I think i should get the answer soon. Thank you."..." more

PK

Pratik Kaurav

Feb 7, 2017

"I am recently going to take my higher educational exams, and I was unable to just concentrate on my studies more than 30 minutes. But your post helped me in solving my concentration problem to some extent."..." more

AT

Aradhya Talukder

Jan 23, 2018

"I think the methods mentioned in this article are very effective. I do agree that everyone has different way of studying. This article may help students in finding a perfect way of study. Keep going!"..." more

A

Anonymous

Jul 30, 2016

""Allow for some time to worry." I am suffering from stress, and spend too much time worrying, so I find it would be a good idea to cope up with. Certainly the full article was very useful."..." more

AK

Aman Kushwah

Apr 9, 2016

"It helped me very much. At first, I tried these steps and I was uncomfortable with this, but my concentration power increased, day by day, by following these steps. So, thank you very much."..." more

IJ

Injila Jamal

Jul 21, 2017

"Yeah, it helped! I'm from class 7th and although I was a good student, I could not concentrate on the class. This helped me to learn in the class, which helped me in exams."..." more